Morand Wirth – Don Bosco and the Salesians

This book satisfies a real need describing as it does the growth of Don Bosco’s work with historical accuracy and in pleasant style.

Going back one hundred and fifty years, the Salesian story is one of continuous growth. There was no need therefore to divide it into different periods. Because Don Bosco’s childhood was the foundation of his achievement, it seems only natural to begin with his birth in 1815 and to conclude with the Salesian General Chapter in 1965.

Arbitrary divisions have been avoided, because the hundred and fifty years in question are naturally divided by Don Bosco’s death in 1888. This was a decisive year in which the founding period ends and development begins.

The chapters of Part I (1815-1888) trace the growth of Don Bosco’s work during his lifetime; those of Part II (1888-1965) show consolidation and world-wide expansion after his death.

The chapters in Part II take into account the work of the various rectors major who succeeded Don Bosco in presiding over a highly centralized Congregation. They also describe the division of the Salesian family into three branches: the Salesian Society, the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and the Association of Salesian Cooperators.

An appendix by Father David de Burgh, S.D.B. carries the history of the Society through the Age of Renewal, 1965 to 1977, mandated by the Second Vatican Council.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Preface
• Introduction
• PART I: THE BEGINNINGS OF THE SALESIAN WORK 1815-1888
  • Chapter 1: JOHN BOSCO’S EARLY YEARS – 1815-1841
  • Chapter 2: THE BEGINNINGS OF THE ORATORY – 1841-1847
  • Chapter 3: THE ORATORY HOUSE – 1847 AND 1862 THE ARTISANS
  • Chapter 4: THE ORATORY HOUSE – 1847 AND 1862 THE STUDENTS
  • Chapter 5: THE STUDENT SOCIETIES
  • Chapter 6: DOMINIC SAVIO, 1842-1857
  • Chapter 7: RECREATION
  • Chapter 8: BIRTH OF THE SALESIAN SOCIETY, 1850-1864
  • Chapter 9: THE SALESIAN COADJUTORS
  • Chapter 10: THE SALESIAN CONSTITUTIONS UP TO 1874
  • Chapter 11: THE APOSTOLATE IN ITALY FROM 1863 TO 1875
  • Chapter 12: BEGINNINGS OF THE WORK IN EUROPE 1875-1888
  • Chapter 13: SALESIAN REGULATIONS UP TO 1888
  • Chapter 14: MARY MAZZARELLO (1837-1881)
  • Chapter 15: THE SALESIAN SISTERS UNTIL THE DEATH OF DON BOSCO
  • Chapter 16: THE SALESIAN COOPERATORS
  • Chapter 17: THE SALESIANS IN AMERICA THE FIRST MISSIONS, 1875-1888
  • Chapter 18: CONSOLIDATION OF THE CONGREGATION, 1874-1888
• PART II: CONSOLIDATION AND WORLD EXPANSION OF THE SALESIAN WORK AFTER 1888
  • Chapter 19: MICHAEL RUA, 1837-1910
  • Chapter 20: THE SALESIANS IN EUROPE UNDER FATHER RUA
  • Chapter 21: PROGRESS IN AMERICA AND FIRST STEPS IN ASIA AND AFRICA
  • Chapter 22: PAUL ALBERA AND PHILIP RINALDI
  • Chapter 23: PETER RICALDONE AND RENATO ZIGGIOTTI
  • Chapter 24: GENERAL CHAPTERS; REGULATIONS AND CONSTITUTIONS OF THE SALESIAN SOCIETY AFTER 1888
  • Chapter 25: SALESIAN FORMATION
  • Chapter 26: THE SALESIAN MISSIONS AFTER 1910
  • Chapter 27: SALESIANS UNDER PERSECUTION
  • Chapter 28: THE SALESIAN SISTERS AFTER 1888
  • Chapter 29: THE COOPERATORS AFTER 1888
  • Chapter 30: THE PAST PUPILS
  • Chapter 31: NEW TRENDS
  • Chapter 32: THE SALESIANS AFTER VATICAN II
• Bibliography

Reference time period: 1815 – 1965

Reference institution:
Centro Studi Don Bosco